Hemp is one of the first known cultivated crops. Grown for thousands of years for textiles, food and construction materials. Known globally in Ancient civilisations for it’s strong fibres (and wholesome seeds). In colonial America, hemp was an essential crop for making rope, sails, and clothing. However, during the 20th century, hemp's association with marijuana led to its ban despite being used for thousands of years.
The anti-drug hysteria (1930s), fueled by sensationalist media and economic interests in synthetic fibres and paper were a massive influence on this ban. Regulations at the time failed to distinguish between psychoactive marijuana and non-psychoactive hemp, effectively shutting down the hemp industry for decades. International agreements cemented hemp's illegal status worldwide. For no real reason.
You’ve heard me go on and on about the benefits of hemp, especially in the textile industry. It’s sustainable, requires less water, it’s durable and has great breathability due to it’s thermodynamic properties (see my other blog post here). It requires fewer pesticides and herbicides than other crops, supports soil health, and has a rapid growth cycle. I’ve been long fixated on blending hemp with other fibres to create my collections, it brings a certain quality and wearability to each garment that I’m not often able to find outside the hemp industry.
The ban on hemp was an overreach, driven by misinformation as well as shady political and economic interests. It’s now been legalised for years, but the hemp industry suffered a massive blow, turning what once was a common place resource to something more limited. It’s great to see the new era of hemp in the fashion industry. Hemp's comeback is a chance to tap into a resource that's great for the environment and I can’t wait to create more pieces with it.
60% hemp, 40% silk coming soon...
